Derry Senior Football Championship Weekend preview

As the weekend rolls around once again, it brings with it another round of championship football in Derry. 

However, this weekend will prove to be decisive for many through the senior, intermediate, and junior levels as clubs secure their quarter-final status and others suffer elimination, ending their dream of lifting a championship for another year. 

O'Neills Senior Football Championship 

Kilrea v Slaughtneil

Saturday - 2:30pm - Kilrea

Slaughtneil are the only side in Group A with a perfect record after their victories over Swatragh and reigning champions Glen. 

In order to do this and essentially secure their progress to the quarter-final they must travel to the home of the Senior League champions, Kilrea. 

The visitors will be confident of ensuring this progress, with the club currently the highest scorers (39 points) in the championship, with Shane McGuigan in fine form the past two games. 

Meanwhile, Kilrea will realise that defeat in this fixture would all but eliminate them from the championship. 

The club won their first league title in 43 years, and this was a massive success for the club, but losses to Dungiven and Bellaghy have put them in this precarious position.

Kilrea struggled last day out away to Dungiven, and it is unlikely they will find form to defeat a Slaughtneil side that were in rampant form against Swatragh last round. 

Expect more of the same for both clubs, with feelings of joy and despair being shared on Saturday evening. 

Dungiven v Bellaghy

Sunday - 3:30pm - Pairc Ui Cathain

This promises to be an intriguing fixture. 

Dungiven have demonstrated their ability to get goals in the first two rounds, with two in their loss to Swatragh and then two in their victory over Kilrea. 

However, worryingly, the ease at which opponents can get scores against them will be a worry for the club and its fans, particularly since the three goals in quick succession against Swatragh is not the quality of a senior championship champion. 

Meanwhile, Bellaghy demonstrated their quality against Glen last round as they pushed the current All Ireland club champions all the way, falling to a 0-10 to 0-8 defeat. 

However, this will have been an incredible morale boost for this weekend's visitors, with Glen the side to beat in this championship, holding them honest. 

Bellaghy also demonstrated their attacking quality when they defeated Kilrea in the opening fixture. 

Both sides know a victory puts them in a strong position to progress, so expect a competitive fixture, but one full of fine score-taking. 

Swatragh v Glen

Sunday - 5:30pm - Swatragh

The home side will be looking for a response following their humbling at the hands of Slaughtneil last round. 

Swatragh never found their rhythm as Slaughtneil dominated from start to finish. 

This weekend gets no easier for the 1993 finalists as they face the daunting task of beating Glen, something that has only happened once in the last three years. 

Meanwhile, Glen secured their first victory of this championship in a tight contest with Bellaghy last round. 

However, it was a much-needed victory after the club suffered a narrow first-round defeat to Slaughtneil. 

Glen looked back to their formidable form as they controlled proceedings against Bellaghy, never looking truly worried, masterfully securing the win like they have done consistently over the last three years. 

Victory for Glen will be expected, with a lot of work needed to be done for Swatragh to get to the level required to compete with the reigning champions, let alone beat them.

Lavey v Ballinascreen

Friday - 8:30 pm - Owenbeg

Lavey are the only side yet to secure a result in Group B of this year's championship; however, they will be wondering how they haven’t. 

The current intermediate league champions pushed both Newbridge and Magherafelt right to the wire, losing by a point in both fixtures. 

A masterclass from Shane Heavron denied Lavey last time out as he scored eight points to secure a Magherafelt victory. 

Lavey will have taken a lot of confidence from the opening two fixtures, knowing they faced the most difficult sides, and will take this into the next three. 

Ballinascreen are yet to secure a victory in this championship, with a draw against Loup in the opening round followed by a defeat to Steelstown. 

The club know a victory is needed to help in their push for the quarter-final as they still need to face the imposing propositions of Newbridge and Magherafelt.

Expect an electrifying game that will go right to the wire. 

Loup v Steelstown

Saturday - 5:30 pm - Owenbeg

Loup will look for a response following their drubbing in the last round, where Newbridge secured a 3-16 to 0-7 victory over Loup.

Their opening-day draw with Ballinascreen was disappointing for Loup, as they had believed they had done enough to secure victory but had to settle for a draw in the end. 

Loup will expect a tight affair in Owenbeg on Saturday evening as Steelstown will prove a stern test. 

Steelstown secured a victory last time out when they defeated Ballinascreen by two points, following their limp opening day fixture where Magherafelt soundly defeated the city side without needing to get out of second gear. 

Victory will put Steelstown in a commanding position to reach the quarter-finals while Loup know defeat will put them in a precarious position to progress. 

Spectators can expect a cagey affair. 

Magherafelt v Newbridge

Saturday - 7:15 pm - Owenbeg

A mammoth clash between the two clubs still a perfect record in Group B square off on Saturday night at Owenbeg. 

Newbridge were in terrifying form as they firmly put Loup in their place last round after they edged out Lavey in the first round. 

Oisin Doherty was in fine form against Loup as he scored six points, and they will need him in form once again if they want to overcome Magherafelt. 

Magherafelt also scraped by Lavey due to an incredible eight-point performance by Heavron, and his clinicality will be required to secure their perfect record. 

Victory for either side will essentially see them progress to the quarter-final, so both sides know there is a lot on the line.